The Plan

Do I know what my plan is? Not a clue. Last Saturday, President Thomas S. Monson, prophet of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, announced the new ages for missionaries. 18 for boys, and 19 for girls. The second I heard this, I started crying my eyes out. Me? On a mission in a year? How is that possible? Then I thought of all my boys that will be leaving right after high school. Parker, Cameron, Landon, Scott.. all of them. It will be a huge adjustment once they are all gone. I am so proud of them and their decision to go on missions and serve the Lord. They are such examples to me, and I don't know where I would be without them.
Tonight in my scripture study, I went over a verse. It was in Alma 58:12. It reads, "And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and we were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty." Everyone understands the scriptures in their own way. When I read this, I thought of Temple Tuesdays and my group of friends. At first, it started out as Landon and Parker, Emily, Scott, and myself. Just us five waking up at four in the morning and driving up to the Bountiful temple (Ogden being closed), and do baptisms for the dead. I know what you're thinking. Four? In the morning? Are you crazy? With it being a Tuesday that we go, we have late start. The day to sleep in for high school students. Not us! We take that opportunity and run with it. We went again, two weeks later. This time, we had nine people come. We added four more to the group. We felt so accomplished. We went again this last Tuesday morning. There were eight of us total. More people had planned to come, but things got in the way. I look at my small little group of friends and see the impact we have on people's lives. We got home this week from the temple, and Twitter and Facebook were blowing up with comments about our new tradition. We posted a picture of us at the temple, all together in our church clothes, at about 6:30 in the morning. By the time school had ended that day, we had about 30 likes on Facebook and Instagram. People were tweeting us saying how much they look up to us and our example. I see what my friends and I are doing, and I love it. We are a small force with great courage, and we had determination to do what was right. These kids bless my life so much, and I don't even think they truly understand.
I have started applying for colleges. I had first applied to Utah State University. The application was simple, as was sending in transcripts. Now I wait and see what will happen. I'm interested in a school in New York, called Syracuse University. They're a school solely focused on social work. I would absolutely die to go there! I know that it is expensive, but it is my dream come true.
Although I am stoked for college, the thought of a mission has been sitting in my mind for about 8 months now. I had been thinking about going on one once I turned 21, but now that I can go at 19? It seems like a more valid option. I have thinking and praying to do about this one, but we will see how it all turns out. Wish me luck!

I am so grateful for the life I have been given. Senior year has been one of my most favorite years so far. Between having the best friend group, doing crazy things, getting a job, and almost turning 18 (8 more days), I am loving it. Everything happens for a reason, and I know that I am so blessed.

"Up-Lifting"

7-Up-Lifting Ways to Start Your School Day

1. WAKE UP - Decide to have a good day. "This is the day which the LORD hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. DRESS UP - Dress modestly, that if the Lord came tomorrow, you would feel comfortable to be in His presence.

3. SHUSH UP - Say nice things and learn to listen. Allow Holy Ghost to help direct your decisions.

4. STAND UP - For what you believe in! Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

5. LOOK UP - To the Lord. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13

6. REACH UP - For something higher. Have high hopes and always try to better yourself.

7. LIFT UP - Your voice in prayer. "Life is fragile and, therefore, should be handled with prayer."

Well there you have it!

As much as I hate to say it.. my summer is ending. My last summer as a kid. Do you know how scary that is to think about and have it become a realization? This was hands down one of the greatest summers I have ever had. I learned a lot about myself, who my real friends were, and what I want out of life.

If you keep up with me, you know that I went through a really rough time last year. Lately, people keep asking me about it and it's made me think. I was pretty much down and out. But I changed my attitude. I went through a time where it was just me and my family. No friends. Now I have a few of the greatest peope in my life that I can call my best friends. My family and I are tighter than we have ever been. I am so grateful for the problems and issues that I had to go through. They have helped me become the person that I've been trying to find.

My best friend is now a college student. It was so hard to say goodbye to him. He helped pull me out of a dark spot. When I needed a laugh, he would come over at 2 in the morning just to talk to me. My family is convinced we are getting married. Either way, I know that God sent him into my life to help me. He is such a blessing, and I honestly don't know where I would be without him.

The fabulous four. My soccer friends. More like my sisters. Moving to Forza was a scary thing for us. We didn't know the girls, the coach, or the playing style. Making that move was risky. I am so glad we did it though. We stick together. That has been out motto out of this whole thing. There is not a week that goes by where we don't call and check up on each other. It's hard to get together with Britt at Roy, Kates at Weber, Squid at Layton, and me at Syracuse. Friday night football games are our new way to hang out. We are all so different from each other that it doesn't even make sense how we are friends. But we make it work. We are all planning on college together next fall. These girls make soccer worth it.

I'm scared. Excited. Nervous. I mean.. do you blame me? I'm going to be a senior this year. I am turning 18 in less than 2 months. I will be a legal adult. How did this happen? Last I remember, I was playing dress up in the basement and singing along to the Cheetah Girls. Now look at me. I'm driving. I'm researching colleges. I am already buying things for when I move out. Sometimes I think to myself, "You know.. if I had to move out and live on my own, I could probably do it." Then there are times where I am gone for a night and miss my mom like crazy. The world expects us to be all grown up after 18 years. I don't think ANYONE is ever fully grown up. Especially as a teenager.

There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think of who I was. The people I used to hangout with. The boy I will always have feelings for. It will always be a part of me. But you know what? I'm so happy with how I have lived my life. I have no regrets. I am living life how I want to. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way. I am proud of myself for the decisions I have made with the church. My testimony is strengthened all the time.

This school year, I am making it a personal goal to blog once a week. That will be my journaling. Good luck to everyone with the new school year! Sending my love!